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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Mahinda
Chintana consistent with Christian values
by Rev. Fr. Sarath J. Hettiarachchi, Co-Chairman, Inter-Religious Alliance for National Unity
Mahinda Chintana did not fall from the skies all of a sudden. It is a result of 37 years of political experience of Mahinda Rajapakse. Further he made use of the intellectual contribution of various academics and experts and also studied the aspirations of different social strata in the formulation of his program. We could even define Mahinda Chintana as an attempt to practice the concept of "unity in diversity" expounded in the Bible. At the beginning of this Manifesto one comes across the following sentence: " My firm resolve is to ensure that children of all religions would be able to obtain an education in keeping with their religious beliefs". What is important here is the guarantee given to all religions. This is definitely a blow to those who fanatically espouse religious discord. The Manifesto also states that assistance will be extended by the Government to intensify educational and awareness programs against the use of drugs. Thus it is an effort to protect our children and adolescents. Isn't this in conformity with Christian values? It is necessary to strengthen the family unit if the society is to progress. The Manifesto outlines concrete measures to do so. It also offers permanent employment to voluntary teachers. Most teachers who teach Christianity in schools do so on a voluntary basis. Thus they will benefit from this offer. The pledges to take care of elders and the differently able persons too are consistent with Christian values. This list could be enumerated further. But for purposes of brevity this would suffice to ascertain my main claim that Mahinda Chintana is consistent with Christian values. Another significant feature of the Manifesto is its pragmatic approach. Instead of enumerating a long list of unattainable goals and promises it gives a practical program of infrastructure development, which would ease the burdens of the people. It is also necessary to say that the Manifesto seeks the broadest consensus to attain a sustainable peace. It is peace with dignity for all communities. It provides a new approach hitherto not pursued in earnest. Mahinda Rajapakse has always been modest enough to seek advice from religious leaders and seek the opinion of political leaders. Besides being a man of the people he knows the national culture and people's aspirations. Nothing national is alien to him. Yet he is not a religious fanatic as some of his opponents try to portray him. The intelligent Christian community should not fall prey to mischievous propaganda by interested parties and give him full support to carry forward Christian values he has enumerated in his Manifesto. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
It has been revealed that certain Presidential candidates and their
henchmen are trying to fulfill their narrow interests through devious means
by inciting religious intolerance. Attempts are specially being made to
misinterpret Mahinda Chintana program of the Prime Minister as something
contrary to Christian values and attitudes. Hence it is necessary to study
Mahinda Chintana to see how it incorporates Christian values and attitudes.
